Terms — A

In a civil case in the Court of Appeal, if an applicant is supposed to do something by a certain time but does not, the Court can say the applicant has abandoned their case and may…

Terminate a trial before it is completed.

Where the time to do something is shortened by the court.

A person charged with committing a crime. Other words for the accused are 'defendant' and 'alleged offender'.

When the magistrate, jury or appeal court find that a person is not guilty of the crime.

A bill that has become law after passing through required legislative steps.

To transfer a case before the Court to another date or time.

A break for morning tea, lunch or for legal argument. It can also mean the court has decided to set a new date for the matter to be continued.

The body of law that regulates the legality of decisions and other actions of government bodies and officials.

Describes evidence that is allowed to be given in court. Not all evidence is admissible.

Legal testimonial, documentary or tangible evidence that may be presented in court.

This means the prosecution lawyers and the defence lawyers will argue about the facts, witnesses, evidence and legal issues.

A statement that is signed and agreed to in the presence of an authorised witness, such as a justice of the peace. The person signing the legal document states that the contents ar…

An affidavit setting out how a legal document has been served on (given to) a party.

A promise to tell the truth (usually in a courtroom) without using a religious book.

The person in need of protection and for whose benefit a domestic violence order is made.

A set of specific information agreed by the defence and the prosecution, regarding the charges that are brought before the court. Usually presented after a plea of guilty.

An accused person's defence or explanation that they did not commit the alleged offence, because they were elsewhere or with somebody else.

Something that is said but has to be proved, or is yet to be proved.

The circumstances of the offence proposed by the prosecution.

Until a person is proved to be guilty of a crime, they are called an 'alleged offender', the 'accused' or the 'defendant'.

A person claiming to be a victim of a crime.

A back-up charge in addition to the main charge against the accused. For example, a murder charge accompanied by an alternative charge of manslaughter.

A type of Indigenous land use agreement.

A solicitor, not a party to a case, who volunteers to offer information to assist a court in deciding a matter before it.

A person's criminal record and background.

Records of previous criminal offences, usually with details of conviction, penalties and appeals.

When a case is taken to a higher court to challenge a decision.

All documents that the Court needs to consider which are relevant to an appeal. A Registrar decides what documents should be included at an appointment to settle the index to the a…

To be present in court.

To be present in court, but in the place of the law firm representing one of the parties.

A person who appeals against a decision of a court.

The power given to a court to hear appeals in certain matters.

The individual, organisation or corporation who applies to the Court to start legal proceedings against another person or persons. Also known as 'plaintiff' in admiralty and corpor…

The document that starts most proceedings in the Federal Court. Also used as a broad term for what the applicant is doing — making an application.

'Leave' is permission to do something. For example, if a person has left it too late to appeal, it may be possible to ask the Court for permission to appeal anyway via an applicati…

Where the details of the charge (called an indictment) are read out to the accused in court.

When the police take someone into custody to charge them with a crime, or to take them to court.

A person admitted to the legal profession in an Australian jurisdiction. See also solicitor and barrister.

An order that has been verified by the court as being genuine and undisputed.

A judgment in another case or legislation that is relied upon to support a legal argument.